Springbok loose forward Joe van Niekerk will be lost to South African rugby after the World Cup, which is to be played in France in September.
With the emergence of new talented players coming through the ranks, Van Niekerk has opted to take his services abroad to Northampton Saints.
Van Niekerk has been offered a three-year contract, but according to his agent, Cathy Van Niekerk, he will still honour his commitments to Western Province and South African rugby.
When asked about the reasons for his departure, Cathy said: ”There are a lot of unknowns at the moment — we don’t know who the Western Province coach will be next season, among things.”
Despite being capped 46 times, Van Niekerk has recently failed to produce the sort of magic that saw him being drafted into Harry Viljoen’s Bok squad straight from the South African under-21 side.
Van Niekerk has developed through the South African rugby systems — he was part of the 1998 South African schools team and later played for the South African under-19 and under-21 sides.
Joe’s commitment to Northampton is interesting as the side will be playing their rugby in the National League Division One. The Saints will be hoping Van Niekerk can contribute towards bringing the team back into the prestigious Guinness Premiership, though.
Another player to have played for the team in the past is Corne Krige, whose tenure under former Stormers coach Alan Solomons at the English side was filled with disappointment as the team sunk to new lows.
Former Saxons coach and now director of rugby at Northampton Jim Malinder was instrumental in luring Van Niekerk to the club and he is confident Joe will be the beacon light the team desperately needs.
If the 27-year-old Joe Van Niekerk can find the sort of form that saw him steal the limelight from the likes of Ritchie McCaw in 2003, his move could benefit the country in the long run. Plying a trade overseas has not always been a negative thing, as Percy Montgomery left the country and returned a better player. Hopefully the same will be said of Van Niekerk in three years’ time. — Sapa